Multiple Sclerosis Relapses: Epidemiology, Outcomes and Management. A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Immunology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Relapses are a hallmark of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), impacting diagnosis and prognosis.
• Incomplete remission after relapses contributes to residual disability in MS patients.
• Current therapies offer partial benefits, highlighting the need for improved relapse management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the unknown mechanisms behind MS relapse incidence.
• To identify demographic and clinical factors modifying relapse risk for better disease management.
• To investigate the association between relapse phenotypes, patient characteristics, and neuroanatomical patterns.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses.
• Analysis of demographic and clinical data associated with relapse risk and phenotypes.
• Exploration of immunomodulatory and corticosteroid therapy effects on relapse management.

Main Results:

• Numerous factors influencing relapse risk have been identified, offering potential for improved MS management.
• Relapse phenotypes correlate with specific patient and disease characteristics, suggesting individualized disease patterns.
• Existing therapies provide partial control, indicating a need for more effective interventions.

Conclusions:

• Further research into the pathophysiology and determinants of MS relapse incidence, recurrence, and phenotypes is essential.
• Investigating relapsing and non-relapsing MS variants and their treatment responses is critical.
• Developing more efficient therapies is warranted to improve outcomes for MS patients experiencing relapses.